John BENTHAM (2)

Main CPGW Record

Surname: BENTHAM

Forename(s): John

Place of Birth: Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Yorkshire

Service No: 32554

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion

Division: 1st (Peshawar) Indian Division

Age: ---

Date of Death: 1918-10-27

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Face 23.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: DELHI MEMORIAL (INDIA GATE)

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE

Local War Memorial: GARGRAVE, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

John Bentham was the son of Robert and Mary Ann Bentham, née Taylor. Robert, born at Selside near Horton-in-Ribblesdale c. 1848, was the son of John and Sarah Bentham. Mary, born at (Clapham, Yorkshire?) c. 1852, died in 1879 was the daughter of Joseph Taylor.

1881 Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Yorkshire Census: New Inn - John Bentham, aged 2 years, born Horton. [John, who is described as a paid boarder, was living with George and Agnes Tattersall and their son, James. In the 1881 and 1891 censuses, John’s father, Robert, is shown as being employed as a farm worker on Malham Moor.]

1891 Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Yorkshire Census: John Bentham, aged 12 years, born Horton, grandson of John and Sarah Bentham.

1901 Wigglesworth, Yorkshire Census: Hile Farm - John Bentham, aged 23 years, born Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Yorkshire. [John living with his uncle and aunt, William and Ann Coates, née Bentham and was employed by his uncle, a farmer.]

John was married to Harriet Kendall in 1910.

1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Aynhams Farm - John Bentham, aged 32 years, born Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Yorkshire, husband of Harriet Bentham. [John's half-brother, Thomas E. (Edwin) Taylor, his wife and children were living at the farm, where Thomas was assisting John.]

The British Army Service Record for John Bentham exists but may be incomplete.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John Bentham, 32554, N. Staff. R. Address of (Widow) Mrs. H. Bentham, 2, Angle Court, Accrington.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte John Bentham, 32554, 2/N. Staff. R.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte John Bentham, 32554, 2nd Bn N. Staffs. Date and Place of Death: 27.10.18. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Harriet. £20 18s. 7d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for John. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Harriet, born 2.4.91. Address: 38, Westwood Street, Accrington, Lancs. Children: Fred, born 7.1.11. Florrie, born 4.1.13. Mary Ann, born 17.9.16.

The 2nd Bn Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment) was stationed in India throughout the war.

Although John is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate) he is buried in Nowshera Mil. Cem. L. 11.

A short biography of John is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

BENTHAM, John, aged about 30, late of Aynhams Farm, [Barnoldswick], and 38, Westwood Street, Accrington, died from pneumonia, India, Nov. 1918.

BENTHAM, John, aged 30, formerly of Aynhams’ Farm, [Barnoldswick], died from pneumonia, India.

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